A Surin woman has been arrested for forcing her disabled 13-year-old niece to work as a beggar in South Pattaya.

Raporn Bunjanthuk, 34, was taken into custody by Children and Women Protection Center officers near Walking Street Feb. 8. Officers made the arrest after witnessing her repeatedly remove money from a beggar’s dish held by her niece, who had two malformed legs and a lump protruding from her chest.

Police seized 1,200 baht from Raporn, who police said confessed to taking her from her sister’s house in Surin in January to beg for handouts on the beachfront. She reportedly collected about 2,000 baht a day.

Raporn Bunjanthuk (seated) has been charged with human trafficking for putting her disabled niece out on the streets to beg.

Social worker Mongkol Bunthot said the teen has been disabled since birth and never attended school. She initially pushed a trolley selling sweets and gum, but lately was told to start begging.

The child was sent to the Banglamung Home for Children until social workers in Surin could take over her care. Raporn was charged with human trafficking.